Cast a Spell: How to Throw a Halloween Pre-Party
Kid-friendly ideas to set a spooky mood—and turn getting prepped and dressed into part of the fun.
Get your little monsters—and their closest goblins and ghouls—prepped for trick-or-treating by hosting a pre-party. Follow these three simple steps for a frightfully kid- and adult-approved mini-party.
1. DIY Statement Piece: Jack-o'-Lantern Balloons
No helium required for this adorable banner! Here's how to DIY your own.
Supplies
- Orange and white balloons
- Ribbon
- Paper pom-poms
- Black permanent marker
- Tree branch or dowel
1) "Carve" jack-o’-lantern faces onto blown up balloons.
2) To stagger balloons, cut ribbon at varying lengths. Tie one end of the ribbon to balloons and the opposing end around your branch.
3) Cover each knot on your branch with a fluffy paper pom-pom.
4) Affix your display to the wall by laying the branch on top of removable hooks.
Tip! Complete the look with a matching festive pennant constructed out of ribbon, pom-poms, and decorative paper.
2. Food: Healthy Monster Munchies
Don’t let the little ones fly away into the night on an empty stomach. Avoid the sugar high (and post-trick-or-treating crash) by offering savoury snacks.
Bypass tons of tiny, messy hands reaching into a communal popcorn bowl by portioning out servings into individual festive baggies. Give every budding witch a pint-size portion of magic potion by pairing popcorn with mini water bottles. Use seasonal paper and metallic markers to label everyone's drink.
3. Details: Frightful Finishes
Dust off that magic wand and cast a spell for a perfectly haunted house (#bippityboppityboo). Station a faux black cat by the front door (no bad luck here), place festive pumpkin pillows on the couch, and seasonal prints in the hallway.
For a lived-in feel, add elements of your children’s Halloween costumes (both past and present). Introduce a witch's hat and Dracula's cloak to a coat rack, showcase a magic wand on key hooks, and place magic slippers by the front door.
Tip! To accommodate trick-or-treaters with food allergies and other conditions, incorporate a teal pumpkin into your exterior Halloween décor. This signifies that you're an allergy-free home and have non-food treats available such as pens, glow sticks, or other small toys (not to mention teal is a refreshing pop of colour!).
